6th EABF Joint Business Declaration

A Joint Business Declaration by private sector representatives have been presented to African and European leaders at the 5th AU-EU Summit this week. Among the key messages:

The business sector is ready to scale up and facilitate investment in critical areas, and to support productivity and competitiveness to create prosperity, if the right policy environment is in place.

Public and private sector organisations should work together to identify new and innovative ways for SMEs in Africa to access finance and provide support to help grow domestic businesses across the continent.

European governments should encourage their companies to engage in business activities in Africa through practical measures, such as providing political back-up and guarantee instruments for trade and investment.

To improve the general business environments in their countries, African governments are invited to maintain their efforts to ensure legal certainty and stability, smooth and transparent administrative procedures with good governance, and to uphold social and environmental standards in public calls for tenders.